Strip coil feeding device

ABSTRACT

The disclosure of this invention relates to a combined uncoilercoil device employed in the rolling mill industry for feeding coils of metalic strip to the mill. The uncoiler-coil box disclosed includes a pair of cooperative but independently moving opposed mandrels and disks, the mandrels passing into the opening of tight coils for rotatably supporting and feeding them to the mill, while the disks are caused to engage the sides of loose coils to restrain the coils while being fed to the mill by a pair of driven rotatable rollers arranged between the disks and below the coil. The device also includes a single equalizing screw shaft mechanization for the disks which controls the opposed movement thereof.

United States Patent 1 3,695,542 Briggs [451 Oct. 3, 1972 [54] STRIPCOIL FEEDING DEVICE 2,985,401 5/1961 Gazet ..242/81 [72] Inventor:gibert Theodore Briggs, Tarentum, Primary ExaminerAtanley NI GihreathAssistant Examiner-Milton S. Gerstein [73] Assignee: United Engineeringand Foundry Attorney-Henry C. Westin [22] Filed: Aug. 10, 1970 [21]Appl, No.: 62,476

[52] U.S. Cl. ..242/78.6, 242/684, 242/81 [51] Int. Cl ..B2lc 47/16 [58]Field of Search ..242/78.6, 78.8, 68.4, 58.6, 242/81 [56] ReferencesCited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,216,672 11/1965 Littell ..242/78.62,298,759 10/1942 Fouse ..242/78.6 X 2,874,916 2/1959 Wallin ..242/78.6X 2,800,288 7/1957 Bandy ..242/78.6

A l" 3/ I l 25 ,3 A 35 "I V (I 2 I L 5:; a; a 1] 37 T; 4/ I- l I m T 2//4 42 6 Company, Pittsburgh, Pa.

[57] ABSTRACT The disclosure of this invention relates to a combineduncoiler-coil device employed in the rolling mill industry for feedingcoils of metalic strip to the mill. The uncoiler-coil box disclosedincludes a pair of cooperative but independently moving opposed mandrelsand disks, the mandrels passing into the opening of tight coils forrotatably supporting and feeding them to the mill, while the disks arecaused to engage the sides of loose coils to restrain the coils whilebeing fed to the mill by a pair of driven rotatable rollers arrangedbetween the disks and below the coil. The device also includes a singleequalizing screw shaft mechanization for the disks which controls theopposed movement thereof.

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. STRIP COIL FEEDING DEVICE In the past it has usually been the practiceto provide one or more racks and pinion arrangements in combination withtie rods to tie together the opposite sides of the strip feeding device.This was true whether the device was a simple comb-type uncoiler or aseparate coil box or, as indicated above, a combined uncoiler and coilbox. Because of the increased congestion at the front end of the mill,recent conditions have prevented on some occasions the tie rods and rackand pinions being located at the entry side of the strip feeding device.Mill builders were faced, therefore, with the task of providing a stripfeeding device wherein the opposite units were driven, equalized andstabilized from only one side, leaving the other side open and clear toreceive the coils. The task was made more serious because of thetremendous poundings and increased speeds of the modern strip feedingdevices in view of {n crease'd mill speed and coil weights. Solving thisproblem in an efficient and economical way has been of great concern tothe industry.

It has also been a problem to design an economical and simplyconstructed combined uncoiler-coil box, particularly, in providing asimple construction that would allow independent movement of the disksand mandrels.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a combineduncoiler-coil box including a reliable and simple construction forsupporting the disks and mandrels which are independently movable.

The present invention also provides an equalizing device which can alsoserve as a drive for strip feeding machines or other devices, forexample, machine tools having opposed members that must move towards andaway from each other.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a coil stripfeeding means having a single means for controlling the equaldisplacement of the opposite coil engaging members, which means isarranged in a non-obstructing location relative to the side whichreceives the coils being brought to the feeding means.

A further object of the present invention includes a single high'pitchedinterconnecting equalizing shaft having opposite threads on each side inengagement with the opposed frames for carrying the disks of a coil boxor the cones of an uncoiler, in which construction the shaft is alwaysplaced under a tension force during the movement of the frames.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an uncoilercoilbox including opposed frames for rotatably carrying the mandrels of theuncoiler and opposed frame for rotatably carrying the disks of the coilbox, screw shaft means arranged on the side opposite the entry side ofthe combined uncoiler-coil box, a pair of nuts mounted in each coil boxframe threadably connected to said said screw shaft means, means forrestraining said nuts from rotation so that they will be caused totraverse along said screw shaft means and cause rotation of the means,thereby to equalize movement of said opposed coil box frames, and meansfor moving said frames of said uncoiler towards and away from eachother.

These objects, as well as other novel features and advantages of thepresent invention, will be better understood when the followingdescription is read along with the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a combined uncoiler-coil box machineincorporating the features of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken. on lines lI-ll of FIG.

FIG. 3is a sectional view taken on lines III-III of FIG. I, and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on lines IV-IV of FIG. 1.

With reference to the drawings and in referring first to FIGS. 1, 2 and3, there is shown a combined uncoiler-coil box 10 in which it isimportant to note, as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1, that the coilsmove from the left to the right of the figure. It should also be notedthat both sides of the combined machine are identical and many of thecomponents and functions are well known in the industry which, forbrevitys sake, will not be described in detail.

Relevant components of the combined machine comprise a pair of coil boxframes 1] and 12. Each of these frames includes a ridge cross-over tiemember 11a and 12a and is carried by a pair of spaced-apart guide rods13 and 14, shown best in FIG. 2, the frames being tied to the rods bypins 15 and 16 and supported by a base member 17 through bearing blocks18 and 19. It will be noted in FIG. 2 that the rods 13 and 14 projectpast the bearing blocks 19 so as to provide the necessary support on thetravel of the frames 11 and 12. In FIG. 2, the frames 11 and 12 are intheir retracted positions. FIGS. 1 and 2 show the pair of pistoncylinder assemblies 21 and 22 for the frames 11 and 12, respectively,which are connected to the frames, as shown in FIG. 2, by clevises 23whereby, on operation of the cylinder assemblies 21 and 22, the framesare advanced toward and away from the imaginary centerline thatseparates the opposed units.

In each frame, the pair of guide rods 13, 14 are tied together by ashaft which carries a pair of pinions, one of which is shown at 61inFIGS. 2 and 3. Each pinion 61 meshes with a rack 62 secured to anassociated rod 13 and 14. As a result, the movements of the rods of thesameframe are equalized.

As shown in FIG. 2, the frames include bearing assemblies 24 forrotatably supporting disks 25 and 26 in a manner that while the disksare nondriven they are allowed to rotate freely with the coils afterbeing brought into engagement therewith by operation of the pistoncylinder assemblies 21 and 22.

In addition to the coil box frames 11 and 12, there are provideduncoiler frames 31 and 32, each frame rotatably supportingnon-expandable mandrels 33 and 34. As shown best in FIG. 3, the frames31 and 32 in clude nonrotatable shafts 37 which are supported by yokes38. The shafts 37 carry bearings 39, the outer races of which aresecured to the mandrels 33 and 34. The opposed ends of the yokes 38 haveprojections 41 received in U-shaped guides 42 that are formed onstationary upright members 43 that, in turn, form part of the base 17.The entire assembly fits into the opening formed in part by thecross-over members 11a and 12a and are moved relative thereto by pistoncylinder assemblies 35 and 36. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 the pistoncylinder assemblies 35 and 36 midway between their opposite ends aresecured to a base 63 by trunnion brackets 64, the base 63 being securedto the frame 17. With reference to the separate frames 11 and l2 and 31and 32, it will be appreciated that they are allowed to move relative toeach other so that the disks 25 and 26 and the mandrels 33 and 34 areindependently movable.

Turning now to the coil box mechanism provided by the present inventionfor tying the opposite frames 11 and 12 in a manner that theirdisplacement by the cylinder assemblies 21 and 22 will be accuratelyequalized so that the disks 25 and 26 will be brought into propercontact with the coils which are centrally located relative thereto,reference will be particularly made to FIGS. 1 and 4. Arranged at theside opposite the side where the coils are brought to the strip feedingdevice, as best illustrated in FIG. 1 by the arrow, there is provided athreaded shaft 45 having left and righthand threads on end portions 46and 47. The threads are formed with a very steep pitch of the order ofapproximately 45 and hence are non-locking. The opposite outward ends ofthe portions 46 and 47 are provided with bushings 48 and 51 supported inthe frame 17. As shown in FIG. 4, between the inner ends of the bushings48 and 51 and the adjacent portions 46 and 47 of the shaft, there areprovided clearances 50. Inward of the bushings 48 and 51, the shaft 45is connected to the frames 11 and 12. The connection is throughnonrotatable nuts 52 and 53, the nuts being restrained in encasementmembers 54 and 55 of the frames so that, on movement of the frames 11and 12 by the piston cylinder assemblies 21 and 22, the nuts are causedto travel traversely, which movement will cause a rotation of the shaft45 thereby causing equal displacement of the frames 11 and 12. Some ofthe parameters of the illustrated screw shaft 45 are as follows: itsdiameter is 6 inches with nine threaded Acme l-% inch pitch lead, whichyields a travel of approximately 16 inches on each side.

With reference to the nuts 52 and 53 and in referring to FIG. 3, it willbe noted that there are provided replaceable keys 57 which are adaptedto fit into one of the spaced openings 58 formed in the nuts. Thisallows relative adjustment below the frames 11 and 12. Once the desiredpositioning has been accomplished, the keys will be inserted into theadjacent openings 58 so as to lock the nuts against rotation in theencasement members 54 and 55. It is also important to note that, onoperation of the cylinder assemblies 21 and 22 to advance theirrespective frames 11 and 12, this motion when transferred to the shaft45 subjects the shaft, by reason of the clearances 50, only to a tensionforce, thereby obtaining the advantage of minimizing the diameter of theshaft. As indicated in FIG. 1, not only does the present invention allowelimination of any ties on the entry side of the unit, but it alsoprovides a very simple and compact arrangement for equalizing the motionbetween the two frames 1 l and 12.

In the illustrated form, equalization of theuncoiler frames 31 and 32and, hence, the mandrels 33 and 34, is accomplished hydraulically in awell-known manner, not shown. As noted above, however, the mechanicalequalizing means in the form of a screw shaft 45 can be provided forequalizing the movement of the mandrels. It is also important to notethat the screw shaft 45, in a given case, can be located in severalother nonobstructed positions with reference to the coils being broughtto the machine; for example, the shaft can be located beneath themachine on the center line thereof.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, l haveexplained the principle and operation of my invention and haveillustrated and described what I consider to represent the bestembodiment thereof.

Iclaim:

1. In an uncoiling apparatus for feeding coils of strip to a stripprocessor, such as a rolling mill, comprising two opposed frames,

means for supporting said frames for movement towards and away from eachother,

means rotatably carried by each frame including members for engagingopposite portions of a coil position between said frames,

a power means for at least one of said frames connected thereto formoving said one frame towards and away from said other frame,

a shaft connected between said frames,

bearing means carried by said supporting means for rotatably supportingthe opposite ends of said shaft,

left and right-hand threads formed on said shaft inward of said bearingmeans,

nuts threadably engaging the threads of said shafts,

said threads on said shaft and nuts having a non-selflocking pitch sothat on movement of said one frame by said power means the shaft iscaused to be rotated,

means carried by said frames for preventing rotation of said nuts, and

clearances between the inside faces of each of said bearing means andthe adjacent portion of said shaft.

2. In an uncoiling apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said powermeans includes a pair of piston cylinder assemblies for each framecarried by said supporting means,

a rack and pinion for each frame extending transversely thereof andinterconnecting the pair of piston cylinder assemblies on each side ofsaid uncoiling apparatus.

3. In an uncoiling apparatus accordingly to claim 1 wherein the pitch ofthe threads formed on said shaft is of the order of 45 degrees relativeto its axis.

4. In an uncoiling apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said coilengaging means includes,

disks rotatably carried by each frame for engaging the opposite sides ofa coil positioned between said frames,

other frames carried by said supporting means in a manner that they movecoaxially with the first frames and relative thereto,

a mandrel rotatablycarried by each of said other frames,

openings in said disks for receiving a different one of said mandrels,and

other power means for moving said other frames toward and away from eachother.

5. In an uncoiling apparatus according to claim 4 wherein each of saidother frames is carried by opposed upright members supported by saidsupporting means,

guides formed on said upright members,

yokes received in said guides including means for nonrotatably carryingshafts on which said mandrels are rotatably mounted,

a pair of guide rods for each of said two frames secured to each of saidtwo frames,

bearing means carried by said supporting means for supporting said guiderods in a manner that the guide rods move relative to said supportingmeans and with said two frames. 6. In an uncoiling apparatus comprisinga base member,

opposed first frames carried by said base member, said first frameshaving an inverted U-shaped structure,

opposed disks rotatably carried by said first frames adapted to engagethe opposite sides of a coil to be uncoiled,

first power means for moving said first frames towards and away fromeach other,

opposed second frames carried by said base member,

each one being received in an opening of a different one of said firstframes,

opposed mandrels rotatably carried by said second frames adapted to passinto the opening of a coil to be uncoiled,

said disks having openings for allowing an adjacent mandrel to passthrough, and

second power means for moving said second frames towards and away fromeach other and relative to said first frames.

7. In an uncoiling apparatus according to claim 6 including a singlescrew nut equalizing mechanism interconnecting said first frames,

said first power means including a pair of spacedapart piston cylinderassemblies for each first frame,

a pair of racks secured to each first frame, and

a pinion for each pair of racks interconnecting the racks of a pair toequalize the movement of the piston cylinder assemblies for each firstframe.

8. In an uncoiling apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said secondframes each include a nonrotating shaft, and

bearing means carried by said shafts for rotatably supporting saidmandrels.

9. In an uncoiling apparatus according to claim 6 wherein each firstframe comprises two spaced-apart sets of bearing blocks,

means for securing said bearing blocks to said base member,

a guide rod received in each set of said bearing blocks,

said guide rods extending axially of said frames,

each frame including a cross-over member extending between one of thebearing blocks of each set,

said cross-over members forming openings,

each of said second frames comprising upright members arranged in saidopenings and supported by said base member,

opposed pairs of guides formed on each of said upright members,

yokes received in each pair of said guides and extending between theupright members,

a nonrotating shaft carried by each of said yokes, and

bearings carried by said shafts for rotatably carrying said mandrels.

1. In an uncoiling apparatus for feeding coils of strip to a stripprocessor, such as a rolling mill, comprising two opposed frames, meansfor supporting said frames for movement towards and away from eachother, means rotatably carrIed by each frame including members forengaging opposite portions of a coil position between said frames, apower means for at least one of said frames connected thereto for movingsaid one frame towards and away from said other frame, a shaft connectedbetween said frames, bearing means carried by said supporting means forrotatably supporting the opposite ends of said shaft, left andright-hand threads formed on said shaft inward of said bearing means,nuts threadably engaging the threads of said shafts, said threads onsaid shaft and nuts having a non-self-locking pitch so that on movementof said one frame by said power means the shaft is caused to be rotated,means carried by said frames for preventing rotation of said nuts, andclearances between the inside faces of each of said bearing means andthe adjacent portion of said shaft.
 2. In an uncoiling apparatusaccording to claim 1 wherein said power means includes a pair of pistoncylinder assemblies for each frame carried by said supporting means, arack and pinion for each frame extending transversely thereof andinterconnecting the pair of piston cylinder assemblies on each side ofsaid uncoiling apparatus.
 3. In an uncoiling apparatus accordingly toclaim 1 wherein the pitch of the threads formed on said shaft is of theorder of 45 degrees relative to its axis.
 4. In an uncoiling apparatusaccording to claim 1 wherein said coil engaging means includes, disksrotatably carried by each frame for engaging the opposite sides of acoil positioned between said frames, other frames carried by saidsupporting means in a manner that they move coaxially with the firstframes and relative thereto, a mandrel rotatably carried by each of saidother frames, openings in said disks for receiving a different one ofsaid mandrels, and other power means for moving said other frames towardand away from each other.
 5. In an uncoiling apparatus according toclaim 4 wherein each of said other frames is carried by opposed uprightmembers supported by said supporting means, guides formed on saidupright members, yokes received in said guides including means fornonrotatably carrying shafts on which said mandrels are rotatablymounted, a pair of guide rods for each of said two frames secured toeach of said two frames, bearing means carried by said supporting meansfor supporting said guide rods in a manner that the guide rods moverelative to said supporting means and with said two frames.
 6. In anuncoiling apparatus comprising a base member, opposed first framescarried by said base member, said first frames having an invertedU-shaped structure, opposed disks rotatably carried by said first framesadapted to engage the opposite sides of a coil to be uncoiled, firstpower means for moving said first frames towards and away from eachother, opposed second frames carried by said base member, each one beingreceived in an opening of a different one of said first frames, opposedmandrels rotatably carried by said second frames adapted to pass intothe opening of a coil to be uncoiled, said disks having openings forallowing an adjacent mandrel to pass through, and second power means formoving said second frames towards and away from each other and relativeto said first frames.
 7. In an uncoiling apparatus according to claim 6including a single screw nut equalizing mechanism interconnecting saidfirst frames, said first power means including a pair of spaced-apartpiston cylinder assemblies for each first frame, a pair of racks securedto each first frame, and a pinion for each pair of racks interconnectingthe racks of a pair to equalize the movement of the piston cylinderassemblies for each first frame.
 8. In an uncoiling apparatus accordingto claim 6 wherein said second frames each include a nonrotating shaft,and bearing means carried by said shafts for rOtatably supporting saidmandrels.
 9. In an uncoiling apparatus according to claim 6 wherein eachfirst frame comprises two spaced-apart sets of bearing blocks, means forsecuring said bearing blocks to said base member, a guide rod receivedin each set of said bearing blocks, said guide rods extending axially ofsaid frames, each frame including a cross-over member extending betweenone of the bearing blocks of each set, said cross-over members formingopenings, each of said second frames comprising upright members arrangedin said openings and supported by said base member, opposed pairs ofguides formed on each of said upright members, yokes received in eachpair of said guides and extending between the upright members, anonrotating shaft carried by each of said yokes, and bearings carried bysaid shafts for rotatably carrying said mandrels.